RE: Gateshead Central Taxis
The 333 is basically what is left of the frequent services which ran beyond Northumberland Square to connect with the ferry. In the sixties there was the 7 / 8 from Blyth / Whitley Bay and 12 (I think ) from Whitley Bay via Preston Vill. There was also a service which ran to the Fish Quay. At that time the before the Tyne Tunnel opened there were 2 vehicle and foot passenger ferries shuttling backwards and forwards. Later on the routes became the 309 and 317 which were supplemented by open top 327 in the summer which ran along the seafront from Whitley Bay. There was a connecting open top service at South Shields which, if I remember correctly, ran to Seaburn. Later again the open topper became the 333 operated by Northern and Northumbria.